Michelin Guide Chicago Announces the 2011 Bib Gourmand Winners

Earlier this year, Michelin — the French company responsible for publishing the classic guide to exceptional restaurants — announced it would be issuing a Chicago edition in November, and thereby caused quite a stir.

You see, the notable guide was first introduced to the United States when it was published in New York City in 2006. Many restaurateurs and diners disagreed with a myriad of Michelin’s choices and quickly came to the consensus that the list was a flop, diminishing its credibility stateside. So, understandably, Chicagoans were skeptical.

The illustrious stars will be announced next Wednesday, Nov. 17, and The Michelin Guide Chicago will hit stands the following day. However, we got a taste of the Michelin rating inspectors yesterday when the Bib Gourmand winners were revealed. The Bib Gourmand rating indicates “the restaurant is an inspector’s favorite for good value” (i.e., where two courses and a glass of wine or dessert costs $40 or less.).

Winners were notified, or rather marked, by a chalk outline of the Michelin Man in front of their establishments. [Interestingly, this mascot has a proper name and is called Bibendum.] In all, 46 restaurants garnered the Bib Gourmand distinction. There were definitely surprises. Several seemed to have deserved more regard (e.g., Frontera Grill, Publican, Girl & the Goat) while others were unassuming picks (e.g., Ann Sather, Frances’ Deli, Thai Village).

See the full list here or below the jump and tell us below what you think of Michelin’s selections.